I'm not saying these videos don't still give the old heart strings a tug or two. However, like all things, they are subject to overabundance. The phrase "everything in moderation" doesn't exclude a soldier reconvening with his family. That's not to say they should seize to exist, or that they shouldn't live on forever through viral video. Every man, woman, and child that has had to ship a loved one overseas deserves a moment like this. But while they will always put a smile on my face, after the 300-400th time desensitization becomes a factor.

With that said, if you really want to jerk some tears a good start is to put this kind of moment on ice. Everything is better on ice. Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, beer, Jack Daniel's, shrimp cocktail, professional sports (raises tomato shield). Hell, if ice can make tequila better than it can make anything better, and thats includes a father and son moment for the ages. Nothing captures the rise in emotion and the fall in motor skills like some rubber soles on a slick surface. You would have thought he was slipping off the side of a mountain with the grip he had on his son. Just an extremely cool moment to help us remember the gravity of what both parties have endured.

P.S. At some point, as a family member of someone overseas, don't you have to expect them to show up if you are invited to throw a ceremonial pitch or drop a ceremonial puck. If it were me who was called on to the ice and told to drop the puck and my hypothetical son never came running up behind me I would be PISSED. NO matter if you see it coming or not, it's still a hell of a moment. No amount of skepticism can ruin that. However, if that moment never came and all you got was a "thanks", a picture, and a puck I would imagine you would be pretty salty.